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Around Town Bag
Lion Brand® Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick®
GAUGE:
16 sts + 21 rows = 4 in. [10 cm] in Cable Pattern.
11 sts + 19 rows = 4 in. [10 cm] in Seed stitch.
BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.
STITCH EXPLANATION:
2/2 RC (2 over 2 right cross)
Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k 2, then k 2 from cable needle. 2/2 LC (2 over 2 left cross)
Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k 2, then k 2 from cable needle.
PATTERN STITCH
Cable Pattern
Row 1: Knit. Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl Row 3: * K 2, 2/2 RC, rep from * to end Row 5: Knit. Row 7: * 2/2 LC, k 2, rep from * to end. Row 8: Purl.
Rep Rows 1-8 for Cable Pattern.
Seed stitch (worked over an even number of sts)
Row 1: * K1, p1, rep from * to end. Row 2: K the purl sts and p the knit sts.
Rep Row 2 for Seed st.
BACK
Cast on 74 sts. Purl 1 row. Row 1: K1, place marker, work Row 1 of Cable Pattern across 72 sts, place marker, k1. Row 2: P1, slip marker (sm), work in Cable Pattern as established to next marker, sm, p1. Row 3: K1, slip marker (sm), work in Cable Pattern as established to next marker, sm, k1. Rows 4-8: Rep Rows 2 and 3. Row 9 (Decrease Row): K1, sm, k2tog, work in Cable Pattern as established to 2 sts before next next marker, k2tog, sm, k1.
Rep Rows 2-9 until 60 sts remain, then rep Rows 2 and 3 only (do not continue to decrease) until piece measures 12 in. [30.5 cm] from beg, end with a WS row. Next Row: Work 9 sts and place on holder, bind off 42 sts, work remaining 9 sts and place on 2nd holder.
FRONT
Work as for Back.
FINISHING
Sew side seams and lower seam. Handles
At one side seam of Bag, place 9 sts from Front holder and 9 sts from Back holder onto needle. Row 1 (RS): K2, *k2tog, k2; rep from * across row - 14 sts.
Work in Seed st until handle measures18 in. [46 cm]. Bind off.
Rep for second handle on opposite side of Bag. Seam handles tog along bound-off ends.
Weave in ends.
ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES Click for explanation and illustration
Around Town Bag Reviewed by Rebecca Engel on 2011-05-30
Thanks to all the reviewers who pointed out the lack of clarity in the writing of this pattern. This was my first attempt at cable knitting and my first pattern repeat was a big mess that had no resemblance whatsoever to the pictured tote. After reading the reviews, I was able to figure out how and where I'd gone wrong and rip out and start over with success.
I made some changes to the design, in that I used some leftover worsted weight yarn isntead of bulky yarn but kept the size needles called for so my tote came out somewhat smaller. I did not bind off at the top of both sides but continued knitting on one side in the pattern so the tote had a flap. I added a buttonhole to the flap, and in the finished product put three buttons on the flap, one that worked (middle) and one on each side for ballast. I also did not like the way the stitch on the tote handle looked with the cable and did the cable stitch for the handle as well, using a three-needle bindoff to join them rather than sewing as I thought that might be sturdier. I also lined the tote.
I rated this four stars rather than five because of the lack of clarity in the pattern, but it was a very nice introduction to cable knitting.
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